Tabulating indicator



Patented Aug. 10, W37

STATES A'll ii OFFIQE TABULATING INDICATOR Fritz Elbert, Munich, Germany,

assignor to Robert Wolff, Basel, Switzerland 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to tabulating indicatcrs, and, more particularly, to an indicator attachment capable of installation on conventional typewriters.

It is well known that only the more expensive kinds of typewriters of conventional design and those having standard or large dimensions have been equipped with tabulating devices and tabulating indicators. This was due to the fact that the tabulating device not only involved considerable increase in the manufacturing costs but also increased the space requirements. Consequently, relatively few typewriters of the so-called portable type have been provided with a tabulating device and many standard typewriters although equipped with the tabulating device proper did not have an indicator showing in a simple and easily recognizable manner the place where the carriage had to be moved when writing tables containing a plurality of columns of figures and the like. Although the need for such device or indicator has been known for a considerable time, as far as I am aware no satisfactory device which is wholly successful in practical operation has been provided.

I have discovered that the problem which has confronted the art can be solved in a remarkably simple manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tabulating indicator which shows in a simple and unmistakable manner the place where the paper carriage has to be moved when writing tables and the like.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tabulating indicator which can be embodied in typewriters of conventional design at a moderate cost and without increasing the dimensions of the typewriter or without requiring complicated mechanisms.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tabulating indicator attachment which may be easily added to or installed on typewriters of conventional design without necessitating any structural changes on the typewriter.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, somewhat fragmentary, of an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the same device taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view 55 of the device: and

Fig. 4 depicts a sectional view of the device taken on the line -4l of Fig. 1.

According to the principles of my invention, I provide a plurality of indicator members slidably attached to or mounted on a suitable part 5 of the paper carriage. I prefer to provide these members in the form of a shell of circular or polygonal cross-section having a hole in the direction of its longitudinal axis and made of metal, rubber, artificial resin or other appropriate mal0 terial. I have found that the conventional paper bail red extending over the paper carriage and along the full length thereof is especially adaptable to carry these displaceable and adjustable members] The shell-like members are provided 15 with figures or other indicating or reference marks on their outer surface and with a resilient member inside which provides sufiicient friction to counteract any unintended displacements of the shell-like members on the paper bail rod. A sta- 20 tionary hand or pointer is preferably provided on the typewriter to co-operate with the indicating or reference marks on the movable shell-like members to indicate the position of the column or the like on the paper carriage. 25

Referring now to the drawing, a paper bail rod (0.) is attached to the paper carriage (not shown) of a typewriter in a conventional manner by means of arms (d). On rod (11.) a slidable or movable indicator member (b) is arranged which 30 essentially consists of an approximately cylindrical body (1) made of hard rubber, artificial resin or the like and having reference or indicating marks or figures engraved on its outside surface. The body is provided with an axial bore (9') having a flat spring (h) extending therethrough. The friction between said flat spring and the bail rod is sufficient to maintain the indicator member in any position in which it may be placed. Most of the conventional paper bail 4O rods have a circular cross section flattened out at one or more places which increases the stability of the indicating members on the rod and at the same time eliminates the possibility of the members turning around the rod. Of course, my 45 indicating members will function perfectly on bail rods having a completely circular cross section. The arrangement of my indicating members on the rod does not interfere at all with the correct operation of conventional small rubber rollers (e) which are rotatably mounted on the rod and which press the paper against the platen of the carriage as they have a larger diameter than the members (b). The indicator members (b) co-operate with a hand or pointer (c) fastened to a stationary part of the typewriter, for example, to the line finder or to the type guide.

The operation of my tabulating indicator will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. First of all, the paper bail rod (a) is temporarily removed, the desired number of indicating members is slid on and, if necessary, the small rubber rollers (e) are exchanged with others having a larger diameter. After the movable indicator members and the rollers, the rod is put back in its place and the pointer (c) is rigidly attached to a suitable and stationary part of the typewriter. Movable indicator members (b) are now adjusted by sliding them to any desired position, say to correspond to a column of figures or the like on a typewritten page. The pointer will then give a clear and unmistakable indication whether the paper carriage is in the right position and that the figures to be printed will appear in the correct place in the column.

Although I have described my invention in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that I do not want to limit myself to this particular embodiment. Many variations and modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. All of these variations and modifications are to be considered within the true spirit and scope of my present invention as disclosed herein and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tabulating indicator for typewriters, the combination which comprises a cylindrical indicator member bearing a series of indicating indicia on its outer surface and having a round longitudinal bore to receive a paper bail rod of a typewriter carriage, a flat spring within said bore adapted to slideably engage said paper bail rod and to adjustably and non-rotatably hold said member on the same, and an arrow-like member rigidly connected to the type guide of saidtypewriter and adapted to co-operate with the indicating indicia on said indicator member to point out different indicia according to the position of the paper carrage and to the adjustment of said indicator member on said paper bail rod.

2. In a tabulating indicator for typewriters, the combination which comprises a plurality of cylindrical indicator members each of said members bearing a series of indicating indicia on its outer surface and having a round, longitudinal bore to receive a paper bail rod of a typewriter carriage, a fiat spring within each bore adapted to slideably engage said paper bail rod and to adjustably and non-rotatably hold said members on the same, and an arrow-like member rigidly connected to the type guide of said typewriter and adapted to co-operate with the reference marks on said indicator members to point out different marks according to the position of the paper carriage and to the adjustment of said indicator members on said paper bail rod.

FRITZ EIBERT. 

